The Warden: Part 3, Dream of the Warden

by FortressLegacy

Chapter 14: Cold Reunion

The swirling dreamscape soon reformed into a familiar setting.

Once again, Luna and the Warden were standing in the forest clearing, with the cottage standing in the middle. The skies were blue, the sun was shining, and it appeared to be summer.

Luna took a deep breath, feeling some relief to be outside of the confines of Halterburg at last. The sound of the rustling pines, the crisp mountain air, and the sounds of birds in the background all created a much more serene environment than the rows of winding streets and oppressing brick buildings.

Still, the natural surroundings did little to calm her tumultuous heart, and she was still plagued by the questions caused by the previous sequence.

Would Casemate forgive his father?

She remained still, her mane and tail billowing in the breeze as she looked at the cottage with worry written on her face.

If this sequence was taking place here at the Warden’s home, then there was a good chance that this was the moment when Casemate would take the mantle of Warden from his father.

As if to confirm her suspicions, the sound of rustling pine needles caught her attention. Both she and the Warden turned to face the sound, and saw Casemate and Edelweiss walking out of the forest and into the clearing.

Both ponies had saddlebags on, with various supplies to sustain them through the long journey from Halterburg. They also appeared a bit dirty and tired, Edelweiss more so than Casemate.

When they breached the treeline, Casemate stopped, and Edelweiss strode up next to him, stopping close to his side. Both looked at the cottage, wordlessly realizing that they had reached their destination.

Edelweiss’s blue eyes wandered around the scene, taking it all in with a sense of wonder and even a bit of excitement.

But Casemate’s eyes were locked on the cottage, and his face seemed to harden slightly as he inhaled deeply and slowly.

Luna saw that the memories of this place were haunting him.

But being in tune with her husband, Edelweiss placed a hoof tenderly on his shoulder, taking notice. “Are you okay, Casey?” She asked, looking concerned.

Casemate finally blinked, and looked at Edelweiss with a softened expression.

“It’s been over ten years, Edel.” He murmured. “I’ll be honest, there was a time I had hoped that I would never have to return.”

He sighed, and looked at the cottage.

“But there’s no way around it. My purpose is here.”

Edelweiss nodded understandingly, looking at the cottage too.

“Do you think he’s here?” She asked quietly, after a moment of hesitation.

Casemate nodded tensely.

“Yes.”

The couple fell silent for a minute or more, looking at the cottage ahead.

This was the point of no return. Casemate would have to meet his father once more. Luna could see evidence of unease, fear, and anger in his movements and expression. He was not looking forward to it.

Edelweiss remained close to him though, wrapping a foreleg around one of his. She knew that he needed encouragement to carry through.

It also seemed that she was telling the truth when she said that she was happy to be wherever Casemate was. If she didn’t support this action, she wouldn’t have come along or offered support like she was now.

Luna’s heart warmed a bit to see Edelweiss supporting her husband like this. She truly was the best possible match for him.

Edelweiss lightly tugged on his foreleg, and their eyes met once again. After a second, she spoke.

“Before we go up there, I have one question to ask.”

“What?” Casemate asked, his ear raising curiously.

“Have you decided whether or not you will forgive him?”

Casemate’s ear dropped back down in an indication of discomfort.

“I’ve… I’ve given it thought.” He answered hesitantly, glancing away but neglecting to elaborate further.

Edelweiss pushed a bit harder.

“Casey, have you decided?” She asked, a bit slower and more clearly than before, expecting an answer.

Casemate inhaled deeply, still looking away. It seemed as if he hadn’t reached the conclusion that his wife wanted, and he didn’t want to admit it.

“No.” He answered swiftly. “I still haven’t decided what to do.”

Edelweiss began to look worried.

“I see.” She said softly, sighing. She fell silent again, her brow scrunching in concern and thought. “Casey… I can’t force you to make a decision, but the time to make a choice is here, now. We have no way of knowing if you will ever see him again. You will have to choose whether or not to forgive him, and live with that choice until the day you pass on.”

Casemate’s body slumped a bit as he listened to his wife’s words as she continued.

“Please understand that this is not just about him or just for his sake. This is also for you. You hold a lot of anger in your heart against him, and it shows. This could be your only chance to cast it away. Please, just think about that. Okay?”

Edelweiss gave a hopeful look and a smile to Casemate. Although she was trying to hide it, Luna could see the worry and sadness within her. She wanted nothing more than for Casemate to be happy, to be free of the burden of anger and bitterness that he had come to hold. Edelweiss knew just how dark of a place that such anger could bring him, and she absolutely did not want Casemate to suffer that way…

Luna felt her heart stir as she felt a sense of similarity to Edelweiss. The Princess knew all too well the consequences of holding on to hate and anger. Despite the genesis of Nightmare Moon being a very extreme outcome, Luna still felt as if she could sympathize with both her and Casemate.

…

Holding on to anger only leads to suffering.

…

After a period of silence, Casemate looked back at the cottage.

“Let’s go.” He said, sounding more resolute.

Edelweiss nodded in response, and together, the couple began to stride towards the cottage. Step after step, they crossed the clearing, Edelweiss looking cautiously hopeful and Casemate never breaking his gaze towards the cottage.

Luna and the Warden cantered along behind them as they approached the front door. While they did so, Luna glanced at the Warden, trying to gauge what he was feeling at the moment.

As was the case with any instance involving Edelweiss, Luna felt a great deal of longing, love, and grief coming from him. But same as before, a sense of guilt was creeping back into his heart, and this time, it showed. The Warden’s ear was drooping, and instead of the stoicism or anger, a look of silent sadness was written on his face.

Luna’s heart sank a bit to feel him like this. While he seemed to view most of the previous events willingly, this was one which he did not seem to want to rewatch.

She felt some apprehension build within her as they reached the front door of the cottage. Whatever was making him feel in such a way, she was about to see for herself.

Casemate and Edelweiss stopped at the front step, looking at the wooden door before them.

Casemate’s ear lowered, telegraphing his unease as the pair stood in silence. A gentle gust stirred their fur, manes, and tails, rustling the tree branches high above.

The silence was deafening.

Then, having worked up his courage, Casemate raised his hoof, and knocked on the door.

He sighed deeply, knowing that if his father was home, there was no way to avoid meeting him now.

For about thirty seconds, nothing happened. Casemate shuffled slightly, appearing stoic but still showing signs of increasing unease. Edelweiss looked up at him, and she gently swished her tail into his, letting him know that she was still there with him.

Then, the sound of the door’s latch caused Casemate’s body to become rigid and his ear bolted upright. Edelweiss tensed slightly as well, her focus now on the door.

With a gentle creak, the door opened inwards, and standing inside was a large, brown earth pony stallion, with a silver mane, sky blue eyes, and a tired appearance.

Bastion.

Simultaneously, everypony’s eyes widened a bit as realizations hit them all at once.

Edelweiss had finally laid eyes on her father in law.

Casemate had finally reunited with his father, after a full decade.

Bastion was meeting his son for the first time in just as long, and was seeing his daughter in law for the first time.

Nopony spoke for at least ten seconds. They all just stood, looking and thinking. All of the years, all of the pain caused… It was all coming to a head now.

Bastion inhaled deeply.

“...Casemate.” He rumbled in a subdued manner, his expression showing a mixture of surprise and regret.

“Father.” Casemate responded plainly, showing less emotion.

The two fell silent, not breaking their gaze. Neither father nor son interrupted each other’s thoughts as they allowed the realization that they were face to face yet again to set in.

Then, Bastion blinked first, and his eyes shifted towards Edelweiss, who seemed to be in awe of the fact that he was even bigger than Casemate. His expression softened further, and he gazed at her with a sense of wonder.

“So, you are my new daughter.” He said quietly in his deep tone.

Edelweiss nodded, and a small smile appeared on her face.

“You are my new father, I presume?” She asks, trying to lift the heavy mood.

Seeing her smile, the corner of Bastion’s mouth curled upwards in a subtle manner. Despite the small smile, his eyes showed a sense of emotion.

“I am.” He said, nodding once.

Edelweiss laughed silently, and she extended a foreleg towards him, as if inviting a hug.

Bastion’s smile faded, as if he were unsure of what to do. He hesitantly raised a foreleg, as if to shake her hoof instead.

But Edelweiss, perhaps understanding the similarities between Casemate and his father, stepped through the door and placed her foreleg around his shoulders, or as far around his shoulders as she could anyway, and squeezed him lightly.

“Oh come on,” she said with a smile; “You didn’t think your daughter in law would settle for a hoofshake, did you?”

Bastion, despite looking unsure for a moment, placed his foreleg around her shoulders and squeezed lightly, giving in.

“No. No, that makes sense.” He said, his slight smile returning. “I am happy to meet my son’s love.”

They released each other after a second, and Edelweiss stepped back, still smiling. It struck Luna that she definitely didn’t perceive Bastion as Casemate did, which was understandable. Unlike her husband, Edelweiss hadn’t seen Bastion at his worst, instead having seen and heard him be remorseful for his misdeeds. Plus, Edelweiss was not one to hold onto resentment, which only made her warm reception of Bastion all the more believable.

Still, even after seeing Edelweiss greet his father, Casemate didn’t appear moved at all. In fact, he seemed to scowl subtly.

Bastion saw this change in expression, and a look of silent remorse took hold once again. He stepped back deeper into the cottage, and gestured towards the interior.

“Come in.” He said calmly. “We have much to discuss.”

Edelweiss nodded and walked in, looking back at Casemate with a pleading gaze. Casemate hesitated, still looking stone-faced. But he followed his wife shortly afterwards.

Luna and the Warden followed as well, and found themselves in the same central room that was in the first sequence.

Once they were all inside, Bastion shut the door as Edelweiss and Casemate looked all around. Edelweiss seemed to look around the interior with a sense of curiosity, having never been there before. But Casemate’s expression showed a sense of familiarity, not looking in order to take in his surroundings, but rather to compare it to how it once was.

When compared to the first sequence, it looked very similar, Luna noted. Even the mirror that Nightmare Moon used to speak with Luna was still there, to the princess’ discomfort. Although Nightmare Moon wasn’t showing herself, Luna knew that she lurked within her, watching, thinking.

In the meantime, Bastion approached Edelweiss and Casemate.

“Take your bags off.” He says, gesturing towards the floor. “I can start preparing a meal for you both. Your journey was a tiring one.”

Casemate’s eyes narrowed, as if he were about to object. But Edelweiss chimed up, cutting Casemate off from speaking his mind.

“Yes, please. That would be greatly appreciated, thank you.” She says with a smile, before glancing at Casemate. “Right?”

As she asked this pointed question at Casemate, he came to the realization that she was actively trying to create a concourse between him and his father.

He still seemed prickly, but Casemate nodded once, cautiously giving in.

“Very well.”

“Good. Just give me thirty minutes.” Bastion responded.

He gave a final look at the pair and sighed once, before walking away into the kitchen.

Edelweiss sighed wearily, taking her saddlebags off and letting them slump to the floor.

“Well, this is thoughtful of him, isn’t it?” She asked, turning to face Casemate, who was removing his own gear.

He didn’t share her positive demeanor, instead grunting unintelligibly as he faced away.

Edelweiss tilted her head, looking at him curiously. Then Luna heard her sigh, and she closed her eyes for a moment.

“Casey, he seems nice enough. He has opened his home to us and referred to me as a daughter.” She pointed out, taking a few steps towards Casemate.

“Being his child isn’t a nice thing.” Casemate grumbled, looking out a window at the clearing. “If his treatment of me was any indication, you should be scared to be his daughter.”

Edelweiss’ ears drooped and she stepped away, taken aback. “But he doesn't seem like the angry stallion that he once was, Casey.” She objected, her voice raising a bit in protest. “I don’t doubt that he mistreated you, but I’m just saying that he doesn’t strike me as being that way now.”

Casemate sighed deeply, and he turned to face his wife.

“Just because he’s sorry doesn’t change what happened.” He said solemnly, his expression remaining unchanged.

“I…” Edelweiss’ voice trailed off momentarily as she shook her head slightly. “I know. But at least acknowledge that he has changed and apologized, okay?” She asked, her tone softening. “I think he really regrets what he did.”

Casemate silently gazed at Edelweiss, clearly struggling to make a choice.

It was clear to Luna that his anger was compelling him to continue treating his father coldly, but Edelweiss’ words were keeping him from wholeheartedly doing so.

He sighed, his stance and expression softening.

“I’ll give it a try, Edel.” He mumbled.

Edelweiss smiled upon hearing this, and she embraced him warmly for a moment.

“Thank you.” She said softly, squeezing him lightly. “I know you can forgive him. Just try.”

When she said that, Luna felt a massive wave of regret from the Warden, larger than before. He groaned silently, he looked downwards, and his ear fell in a saddened manner, instead of an angry one. This caused Luna’s ears to twitch in his direction, and she glanced at him.

Meanwhile, the sequence drew to a close, the dreamscape fading into a mist. Seeing this, Luna turned her attention away from the Warden and to the dream.

Casemate was still angry and resentful of his father, that was unmistakable. Yet, his anger was being tempered by Edelweiss. It seemed that he was willing to listen to her and consider her feelings on the matter, a concession that Luna knew wasn’t one that he gave easily.

While he didn’t say anything about forgiving him, he did say that he would at least treat him less coldly. Surely that counted for something.

Yet, the Warden’s sense of remorse remained.

Gradually, her ponderings about the possible reasons why he felt that way made their return. Especially the theory that his remorse was because of him not forgiving his father.

Although Luna didn’t know for sure quite yet, she knew the implications of that theory were worrying.

If Casemate did forgive Bastion, then that would provide a great deal of assurance to her that the Warden did have the capability to forgive.

But if he did not forgive his father, then the likelihood that he would forgive her would be lessened.

A combination of worry, fear, and concern all pulled at Luna’s soul. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Bastion’s odds of forgiveness would likely reflect her own, and she was seeing the odds becoming slim.

She closed her eyes, doing her best to calm her tumultuous heart. She needed to focus in order to move on to the next sequence.

But before she cast the spell that would initiate the next sequence, she paused. On an impulse, she glanced at the Warden, feeling a need to measure his feelings once more before proceeding.

The Warden’s face was turned downwards a bit, his head slumped lower than usual, and his ear drooped. Luna felt surprised. This was by far the most saddened that he had appeared thus far. His remorse was also noticeable, seeming to amplify her awareness of his downcast appearance.

He was hurting, and Luna’s caring nature tugged at her heart.

She had been worrying about herself this whole time, not really thinking much of how he was feeling. Of course, gaining his forgiveness was her priority here, but she also had an obligation to look out for his well being, as princess of the night.

Besides, after what Nightmare Moon did, Luna owed him that much, at the very least.

Shame crossed her heart as she came to realize this. She wanted to try and correct this, and at least show some concern for him. Quickly, her concern for him outgrew her fears, and she spoke.

“Are you well, Warden?” She asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

The Warden sighed deeply, and turned his face towards her.

“Yes. Why?” He asked curtly, burying the emotions that had surfaced with a harder expression.

“You feel remorse.” Luna answered worriedly, her eyes shimmering with concern. “I can sense it.”

The Warden blinked as he processed her words, and a hint of unpleasant surprise crossed his face.

“You can?” He asked, his tone intensifying an octave.

Luna nodded, feeling worried that he might react poorly to this realization.

But contrary to her fears, the Warden glanced downwards.

“Very well. If that is true, then there is no use in denying it.” He replied in a relinquished manner, looking back out into the void. “You wish to know why, don’t you?”

The princess nodded.

Casemate inhaled gradually, letting off a breath before speaking again.

“You’ll find out why soon enough. Go to the next sequence.”

Luna felt a rare, small sense of relief. Although she could feel that he was still angry at her, he reacted quite well to the realization that she could read him openly. In addition, she had shown that she did actually care for his well being, as she did for all ponies.

Still, she would have to wait before finding out what exactly would transpire between him and his father, and the uncertainty was beginning to gnaw at her.

Luna sighed deeply, closing her eyes and shoving her fears back down. Her horn began to glow, and she cast her influence upon the dreamscape around her, bringing the next sequence…